DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — Authorities have announced that residents of Ellsworth Park must vacate the premises by tomorrow. However, those residing there claim there are limited alternatives available.
The police chief pointed out that the decision is due to complaints about litter, discarded needles, and other hazardous items in the area. Given the park’s popularity, ensuring public health and safety is a primary concern.
Donnell Huffman was among the homeless people who were upset on having to pack up all of their things and search for a new place to call home.
“Lost it all, so it’s been pretty rough, you know, since COVID and just kind of got to roll with it. Like I say, blow like the wind and flow like the water,” Huffman stated. “And nothing becomes permanent anymore.”
Officials said on or around May 17, they got complaints about garbage, an odor from rubbish, materials that posed as health risks and more. But Huffman said there’s not many places for them to go and get the help they need.
“Nobody looks out for the homeless community. Everybody has this preconceived notion of how, you know, we’re all just basically bums or, you know, felons or criminals or anything like that. But we’re not, I mean, we’re just like everybody else up there,” Huffman said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Danville YMCA Laura Floyd said the number of homeless people is growing everywhere. She said at the YMCA, they do what they can to help the people in need during operation hours.
“We usually keep food here. And whether it’s just warming up some macaroni or something in our microwave or mashed potatoes or whatever, you know, just fill them up a little bit so that they can go back out and feel satisfied and feel full and maybe be more productive and get out in the community,” Floyd said.
She said they see about 10 homeless people a day and let them use the showers and give them socks shoes and more.
The city said they’re helping with what they can but they have to respect others health, safety and rights. Huffman said he just hopes they’ll be able to create the resources that are needed.
“They need help, too. You know, everybody needs help. But I don’t know, there is just no funds or what the deal is. And hopefully that’ll change, though,” Huffman said.
City officials said once the area is clear they’ll clean up the site and it’ll return for people to use as a hiking, wildlife and recreation park.
